Fluid clutch and turbo-torque converter



June 20, 1939. B. H. ENGLAND FLUID CLUTCH ANDV TURBO-TORQUE CONVERTER Filed Feb.. 29, 193e 3 Sheets-Sheet l [N VEN To@ BAS/L H. ENGL/Nr A rToR/vfx June 20, 1939. B. H; ENGLAND 2,162,803

I TuRo-ToRQUE CONVERTER v Filed Feb. 29, 1956 s sheets-sheet 2 V J/vVf/VTOR BAG/1. H. ENGL/wvo l 5yI /azd zult A TToR/vfx June 20, 1939. BfH. ENGLAND v 2,152,803

FLUID CLUTCH AND TURBO-TORQUE-CONVERTER Filed Feb. 29, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l 74 y A BAG/L H. ENGLAND BY EMM Patented June 20,1939 i l UNITED-STATES PATENT C F-ries FLUID CLUTCH AND Tonno-Tonarm CONVERTER Basil n. England, southsea. England Application February 2,9, 193s, serial No. 66,405 7 Claims. (Cl. i4-189.5)

My invention relates to power transmitting devide a device such as set forth hereinabove havvices wherein a liquid moved by one member pro. ing differential gear means connecting the inter-` duces a movement of another member, and remediate and rear sections so that the rotation of lates in particular to a device of this character these intermediate and rear sections will imparta having as a principal element a toroid or toroidal diierential rotation to the differential gear mechmember which is divided into a plurality of secanism which is in turn connected to a driven tions by parallel planes which are disposed normal member in a maner to rotate the same. In the to the axis around which the toroid or toroidal practice of the invention the gear mechanism member is generated. y may be contained in a casing associated directly l0 It is an object of the invention is to provide a with'the casing enclosing the front, intermediate, device of this character which will operate at difand rear sections, or may be in a separate casing. ferent speeds and at diierent loads, enabling the Further objects and advantages of the inventransmission of power through a range from tion will be made 'evident throughout the folhigh-torque low-velocity rotation of a driven lowing part of the specification'.4

member to low-torque high-velocity rotation of Referring to the drawings, which are for illus- 15 the driven member. trative purposes only,

The present invention is intended for use in Fig. 1 is a vertically sectioned view of a pre- Some conditions of vpower application to replace ferred embodiment of my invention. friction or jaw types of clutches such as are now Fig. 2 is a cross section on a plane represented extensively employed. Among the objects oi the by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. 20 present invention are to provide a device which Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the inner face will absorb crank-shaft vibrations instead of of the front section ofthe device. transmitting them to the driven mechanism` or Fig.- 4 is a perspective view of one of the vane device; to provide a devicewhich will isolate the members employed in the front section and also motor or engine from the driven device so as to inthe rear section. 425 eliminate the transmission of shocks between Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view looking toward the these members; to avoid the burning out of front face of the intermediate section of the declutches by thel elimination of frictionally envice. gaging clutch members; to avoid the need for Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view looking toward :lo torque-speed gear change devices; and to avoid the front face of the Vrear section'of'the device. 30 the possibility of overloading either the power Fig. 'I is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3, equipment or the driven equipment. showing an alternative form of vane structure.

It is an object vof the invention to provide a Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of the hydraulic device of this character having an intermediate elementof the device, with a portion of the outer section oi annular form provided with outer wall or casing cut away to disclose the angular .re- '-35 passages and inner passages which are directed lation of the peripheral or outer portions of the substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the vanes in the three hydraulic sections. y annular member, and front and rear sectionsv Fig. 9 is a fragmentary View similar to Fig. 8, v of annular form, each having passages formed illustrating 'the theoretical application of forces .m therein so as to connectv the -ends of the Vinner when both the front and the intermediate sec- 40 and outer passages of the intermediate section, tions are rotating forwardly at relatively high 1 all of the passages in the three sections cooperatvelocity ing to form essentially closed circuits through Fig. 10 is a perspective diagrammatic View which a transmission uid may flow during the wherein the essential elements of the device are .l5 operation of the device. shown.

Itis a further object of the invention to provide Fig. 11 is a schematic view for illustrating the a device of the character described in the preced- .meaning 0f the WOldS tOI'Qid and Curved ing paragraph wherein the passages are sepapassages as employed in this specification. rated by walls .or vanes disposed in such rela- In Fig. 1 I show walls 20 and 23 which are 4.50 tion that the circulating transmission fluid will slightly less than semi-circular in cross section,I 50

' act and react against these walls or vanes in and arcuate walls 2| and 22 disposed between 'such a manner as to produce rotation of the interthe walls 20 and 23 in such a manner that the mediate and rear sections in response to rotation v cross-sectional presentation of these walls 20 t o 23 of the front section of the device. 4inclusive denes a circle 24 which is likewise in- It is-a furtherobject ,0f the iyvlltlfm t0 PI'- dicted in dotted lines in Fig. 10. 'I'he circle 24 55 lies in a plane coinciding with the axis A-A,

and when it moves around this axis A-A inV a circle 25, Fig. 10, a toroid 26 is generated. The walls 20 to 23 inclusive 'are likewise generated around the axis A-A of Fig. 1, and since these .walls 28 to 23 define a circle 24, they likewise deilne a toroid 26.

The toroid is divided into' three sections, namely, a front section 21, an intermediate section 28, and a rear section 29. In the'preferred practice of the invention the lines of division 30 and 3| between the sections 21, 28, and 29 lie in planes which are normal to the axis A-A.

/' In the explanation of the invention, I use that ,definition of the term toroid which means a Yvolume defined by generation of a circular area front or leftwardface thereof 'to the rear or rightward face thereof. The inner boundaries of the outer passages 32 are defined by a wall 34 of arcuate cross section, and the outer boundaries of the inner passages 33 are defined by a Wall 35 of arcuate cross section, as shown in Fig. 5.

As shown in Figs. 1, 5, and 8, the outer pas- 'sages 32 are separated by walls or webs 31 which are helical with relation to the axis A-A. The inner passages 33, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, -are separated by Walls or webs 38 which are preferably so formed that they are not helical but define radial planes coinciding with the axisA-A.

The front section 21 of the toroid 26 has a plurality of passages 39 whichare curved so that they will connect the front ends of thepassages 33 with the front ends of the passages 32 of the intermediate section28. Similarly, the rear section 29 of the toroid 26 has passages 4| therein which are curved so as to connect the rearward or rightward ends of the passages 32 with the rearward or rightward ends of the passages 33 of the intermediate section 28. The passages 39 in the frontsection 21 are dened by the wall 20 and a wall 42 which is arcuate in cross section and which is generated around the axis A--A. The passages 4| ofthe rear section 29 are defined' by the wall 23 and a wall 43 which is arcuate in cross section and which is generated around the axis A-A. The walls 34, 35. 42, and 43-dene a toroid 44 within the toroid 26.

'Ihe front section 21 of the toroid 26 is adapted Vto be rotated or driven about the' axis A-A through use ofa drive shaft -45 which is bolted to a radial wall 46 which connects to the wall 20 of the front section and likewise forms the front wall of a shell 41 for the rotary parts of the device. A flange 48 projects radially from the wall 28 of the front section 21. and to thisflange a wall 49 is bolted. such wall 49 being shaped so asto surround the outer portion of the intermediate section 28 and the rear section 29 of the toroid, sothat these sections 428 and 29 may revolve therein. Within the radial wall 46 stiffening ribs 'may be provided.

AThe intermediate section 28 has walls 52 radi- I ally .disposed so as to connect the arcuate walls 34 `and 35, and radial webs 53 are provided for the purpose of connecting the wall 22 of the intermediate section 28 witha hub 54 which is mounted on a shaft 55 placed so as to rotate on the axis A--A and so as to extend rightwardly through a tubular wall 56. The leftward end of the shaft 55 engages a'bearing 51 carried on the inner face of the radial wall 46 associated lwith the front section 21. The tubular wall 56 has its inner or leftward end bolted to a hub 58 which is connected to the rear section 29 by use of radial webs 60. Bearings 6| and 62 are provided between the tubular wall 56 and the shaft I65 so that relative rotation of the members 55 and 56 is provided. So that the tubular wall 56 may rotate relative to the casing or shell 41 of the device, a bearing 64 is carried in the inner radial Wall 65 of the shell 41.

The rightward or outer end of the shaft 55l projects beyond the rightward end of the tubular member 56, and the rightward ends of the memf bers 55 and 56 are connected together by diil'erlential gear means 66 contained in a support 61 which includes a radial wall 68 and a cup-shaped wall 69 bolted thereto. A bearing 1| is provided between the wall 68 and the rightward end of the shaft 55, and a bearing 12 is provided between the member 69 and the tubular wall 56, so that the support 61 of the-differential gear means may rotate relative to the members 55 and 56. Idler shafts 13 are carried wby the support 61, and on these shafts 13 connected gears 14 and 15 are rotatably mounted. 'Through gears 16 carried on stub shafts 11, the gears 14 are connected to 55. The gears both mesh with a gear 19 which is keyed on the rightward end of the tubular member 56. The differential gear means 66 is connected to a driven member comprising a rightwardly extending shaft 8|, by means of machine screws 82. The shell 41 of the device includes a cylindrical wall 83 which projects from the radial wall 65 and cooperates with an end wall 84 to form a housing 85. The end wall 84 'carries a bearing 86 which also engages the shaft 8l, and the wall 84 also has a stufiing box 81 around the shaft 8| to resist leakage of oil from the shell 41. A s a means for relieving gas pressure within the shell 41, a gas discharge passage 88, equipped with a valve means 89, is provided in the shaft 8|. The shaft 8| is preferably provided with a brake drum 9| and also a coupling member 92 whereby it may be connected to a part or mechanism which is to be driven.

In the form of my invention, such -as disclosed, adapted for rotation in the direction indicated by the arrow 93, 4the passages 39 of the front section and the passages 4| of the rear section are separated by Walls or vanes 94, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, the outer portions 95 of which Y vanes are twisted so that these outer portions 95 will lie in helical relation to the axis of rotation A-A. This twist, as shown in Fig. 8, is in what I term "counter-helical relation tothe direction of rotation indicated by the arrow 93a. What I mean by this is that if the direction of rotation' of the vanes is anti-clockwise or left-hand, the helix defined by the outer portions 95 'of the vanes 94 will be left-hand. The outer vanes 31 of the intermediate member 28 are likewise disposed in counter-helical relation to the direction of rotation indicated by the arrow 93a.

The operation of the device is as follows. Sullicient liquid, Isuch as an oil for example, isvplaced in the shell 41 to fill the toroid 26 when the shell 41 is rotated. Thepower device connected to the a gear 18 keyed on the rightward end of the shaft shaft 45 is then operated so as to revolve the front, 75

section 21 in the direction of the arrow 93, with the-result that centrifugal force acting in the fluid in the passages 39 of the front section 21 causes such iiuid to circulate as indicated by the arrow |00 of Fig. 1. From the outer ends of the passages 39 of the front section 21, the oil is discharged laterally into the passages 32 of the intermediate section 28 as indicated by arrows |0| of Fig. 8. This flow ofl fluid strikes the vanes 31 of the intermediate section 28 and is deflected into the passages 4| of the rear section `29, as indicated by arrows |32. Each arrow ||l| may be considered as representing a force tending to propel the intermediate section. 28 forwardly, and each arrow |02 may be assumed to be a force the reaction of which likewise impels the intermediate section 28 in forward rotation. At the same time the force represented by each arrow |02 may tend, during the starting of the device, to`

rotate the rear section 29 in reverse direction. It must be remembered, however, that there is a frictional drag between the Afront section 21 and the intermediate section 28 and between the intermediate section 28 andthe rear section 29, tending the operation of the device circulates as indiing to rotate the sections 28 and 29 forwardly. The rotation of the intermediate section 28 at this time is transmitted through the shaft 55 to .the gear 18 at the rearward end thereof, causing this gear 'i8A to rotate as indicated in Fig. 10. Through the intermediate gears 16, the gears "It and 'l5 are rotated in the Asame direction as the shaft 55, namely, anti-clockwise direction, the result being that the gears 15 tend to rotate the gear 19 in clockwise direction, or if this gear 19 is held substantially stationary or is moving'at relatively slow speed, to roll in anti-clockwise direction around or upon the gear 19, thereby turning the dierential gear means 66 in anti-clockwise direction. Itwill be perceived that if the gears 15 are rotating in anti-clockwise direction atr means 66 which is termed a differential rotation.

. As the velocity of the intermediate section 28 increases, the flow `of fluid from the passages 32 intothe outer parts of the passages 4| will be somewhat in the direction'of the arrows |36 of Fig. 9, at which time there will be a definite component of force `acting against the rear section 29 to rotate the same forwardly orV in anti-clockwise direction.

The passages 32, 33, 39, and 4| of the toroid 26 cooperate to provide closed circuits'for the circulation of the transmission liquid or oil, which durcated by the arrow Ilill and arrows |01 nand I 08 of Figs. 1 and 10. It will be noted that the gears 14 are larger than the gear 13, and that the gear 19 is larger than the gears 15. The relative proportions of the gears 15 to 19 inclusive may be' changed for different conditions of operation of the device.

Although in the preferred embodiment of my invention I showthe toroid 2B as being formed by the generation of a circular area around an axis lying in its own plane, it is within the meaning of the word ftoroid that an area other than truly circular could be employed. For example, in Fig. 11 I show an area ||0 which is nearly square and which when rotated around an axis a-a will produce a toroid This toroid may be divided into front, intermediate, and rear sections ||2, H3, and H4, and the passages 32, 33, 39, and 4| of Fig. 1 may be formed therein as indicated at 32', 33', 39', and 4|. It will be seen that the passages 39' and If are essentially curved; that is, the ends of these passages are directed laterally instead of in a straight line. In Fig. l I have shown the toroid as being of relatively large diameter, but 'it is recognized that'the toroid may be reduced in diameter so that the opening through the center thereof will be `very small. For example, in Fig. 11 the toroid is formed by rotation of the area |-|0 around the axis a-a which is very close to the inner edge ||6 of the area lll).

In Figs. 3 and 6 the vanes 94 separating the passages 39 of Fig. 3 and the vanes 94 separating the passages 6| of Fig. '6 are formed so` that the outer ends thereof will refine right-hand helixes. In Fig. '7 I show a form of vane 93a which I intend to us'e in the front section 21 and the rear section 29 of the device when such device is to be as in Fig. 1, and the anti-clockwise helical faces being effective when the power is transmitted tothe shaft 45 in clockwise direction.

Although I have herein' shown and described my invention in simpie and practical form, it is recognized that certain parts or elements'thereof are representative of other parts, elements, or mechanisms which may be used in substantially the same manner to accomplish substantially the same results; therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but isI to be accorded the full scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Inga fluid transmission of the character described, the combination of a toroid divided into a front section, an intermediate section, and a rear section, said intermediate section having inner and outer passages from face tol face thereof, and said front and rear sections each having curved passages connecting the ends of said passages of saidintermediate section, said passages in said sections being separated by walls forming vanes against which the force of a. fluid flowing in said passages will act and react to urge said intermediate and rear sections to rotate in the same direction as said front section;'drive means connected to said front section of said toroid to rotate said front section on its axis; a driven member mounted so as to be rotatable;

an yaxial shaft connected to said intermediate section of said toroid; a tubular wall rotatably mounted on said shaft, the inner end of said tubular wall being connected to said rear section of said toroid; .gears mounted on the outer ends of said shaft and said tubular member; idler' gear means connecting said gears in differential lrelation; and supporting means for said idler gear means, said supporting means being adapted to rotate around said axis of said shaft and being' connected to said driven member so that rotary movement imparted to `said supporting means by said idler gear means will rotate said driven member at speeds varying with the load thereon with respect to the power load applied at a constant speed to said drive means.

2. In a fluid transmission of the character described, the combination of: a toroid divided into sages of said intermediate section; drive means connected to said front section of said toroid to rotate said front section on its axis; a driven member mounted so as to be. rotatable; an axial shaft connected to said .intermediate section of said toroid; a tubularr wall rotatably mounted on said shaft, the inner end of said tubular wall being connected to said rear section of said toroid; gears mounted on the outer ends of said shaft and said tubular member; idler gear means connecting said gears in diiferential relation; and supporting means for said idler gear means, said supporting means being adapted to rotate around Ysaid axis of said shaft and being connected to said driven member so that rotary movement imparted to said supporting means by said idler gear means. will rotate Isaid driven member at speeds varying with the load thereon with respect to the power load applied at a constant speed to said drive means.

3. In a fluid transmissionv of the character described, the combination of a toroid divided into a front section, an intermediate section, and a rear section, said intermediate section having inner and outer passages from face to face thereof,` and vsaid front and rear sections each having curved passages connecting the ends of said pass Sages of said intermediate section; a fluid retaining shell enclosing said toroid and being connected so as to rotate with one of said sections of said toroid; drive means connected to said front section of said toroid to rotate said front section on its axis; a driven member extending axially into said shell; a shaft member in said shell connected to said intermediate section so as to be rotated thereby; a shaft member in said shell connected to said rear section so as to be rotated thereby; differential gear means in said shell connecting said shaft members; and means within said shell connecting said differential gear means to said driven member sothat the differential movement of said diierential gear means will be transmitted to drive said driven member at speeds varying with the load thereon with respect to the power load applied at a constant speed to said drive means. v

4. In a fluid transmission of the character described, the combination of: a toroid divided into a front section, an intermediate section', and a rear section, said intermediate section having inner and outer passages from face to face thereof, and said front and rear sections each having curvedpassages connecting the ends of said passages of said intermediate section; a uid retaining shell enclosing said toroid and being connected so as to rotate with one of said sections of said toroid;, drive means connected to said front section of said toroid to rotate said front section on its axis; a driven member extending axially into said shell; a shaft member in said shell connected to said intermediate section so as to be rotated thereby;.a tubular shaft in said shell rotatable on said shaft member, the outer end of said shaft member projecting from the outer end of said tubular shaft; gears mounted on the outer ends of said shaft member and said tubular shaft; idler gear means in said shell connecting said A gears; and supporting means for said idler gear means, said supporting means being connected to said driven member so that thedifferential movement of said idler gear means will be transmitted to drive said driven member at speeds varying with the load thereon with respectl to the power load applied at a constant speed to said drive means.

5. In a fluid transmission of the character described, the combination of: a toroid divided into a front section, an intermediate section, and a rear section, said intermediate section having inner and outer passages from face to face thereof, and said front and rear sections each having curved-passages connecting the ends of said passages of said intermediate section, said passages in said sections being separated by relatively thin walls forming vanes against which the force of a fluid flowing in said-passages will act and react to urge said intermediate and rear sections to rotate, the outer parts of said varies between said passages of said front section being disposed in planes intersecting at anangle the axis of rotation of the toroid, whereby forces of action and reaction tangential to the toroid are brought to bear on the front and intermediate sections by jets of uid issuing from and entering said front l and intermediate sections respectively, said-jets being directed spirally of said axis of rotation by said vanes of said front section;v drive means connected to said front section of saidotoroid to rotate said front section on its axis; a driven rotatable member; a planetary gear system; transmission means connecting said intermediate section to said driven member, comprising one element of said planetary gear system; and transmission means connecting said rear section to the other element of said planetary gear system.

6. In a fluid transmission of the character described, the combination of: a toroid divided into a front section, an intermediate section, and a rear section, said intermediate section having inner and outer passages from face to face thereof, and said front and rear sections eachfhaving curved passages connecting the ends of said passages of said intermediate section, said passages in said sections being separated by relatively thin walls forming vanes against which the force of a fluid flowing in said passageswill act and react to urgesaid intermediate and rear sections to rotate, the. outer parts of said vanes between said passages of said front and rear sections being disposed in planes intersecting at an angle the axis of rotation of the toroid, whereby forces of action and reaction tangential to the toroid are brought to bear on the said three sections by jets of fluid issuing from and entering said front andA rear sections respectively, said jets being directed spirally of said axis of 'rotation by said vanes of said front and rear sections; drive means connected to said front section of said toroid to rotate said front section on its axis; a driven rotatable member; a planetary gear system; transmission means connecting said intermediate section to said driven member, comprising one element 'of said planetary gear system; and transmission means connecting said rear section to the other element of said planetary gear system.

7. In a uid transmission of the characterv dealcasos of, and said front and rear sections each having curved passages connecting lthe ends of said passages of said intermediate section, said passages in said sections being separated by relatively thin walls forming vanes against which the force of a fluid flowing in said passages will act and react to urge said intermediate and rear sections to rotate, the outer parts of said vanes between said passages of said front and rear sections being disposed in planes intersecting at an angle the axis of rotation of the toroid, whereby forces of action and reaction tangential to the toroid are brought to bear on the said three sections by jets of iluid issuing from and entering said front and .rear

; sections respectively, said jets being directed spirally of 'said axis of rotation by said vanes of said front and rear sections; drive means connectedto said front sectionl of said toroid to rotate said front section on its axis; a driven rotatable member; a'planetary gear system; transmission means connecting said intermediate section to said driven member, comprising 'one element of said planetary gear system; and transmission means connecting said rear section to the other element oi' said planetary gear system, the rear section being free to rotate in-either direction except as acted upon by the .hydraulic BASIL H. ENGLAND. v 15 

